Monterey Salmon Halibut Sturgeon Rods
Pacific Northwest boat rod for salmon, halibut, and sturgeon mooching/conventional fishing, 8 ft in three powers.
- Models
- 3
- Length
- 8.0'
- Price
- $195.49
- Type
- Casting
The Okuma Monterey MON-HS is a conventional (baitcasting) downrigger and mooching rod series made for Pacific Northwest anglers made for salmon, halibut, and sturgeon from a boat. The medium-fast action and 8-foot length are standard for mooching, the West Coast technique of fishing cut herring or anchovy on a free-swinging sinker at varying depths, and for flat-lining or planer-board setups made for Chinook and coho. Power steps allow selection by species and expected bait/weight size.
Blanks are a 24-ton carbon and E-Glass composite with Okuma's UFR (Ultimate Flex Reinforcement) tip, a unidirectional fibre overlay over the extended tip section that reportedly increases lifting strength while keeping tip sensitivity. The outer wrap is 3K woven carbon for hoop strength. SeaGuide XQ 316-stainless frames with zirconium inserts handle both mono and braid without scoring. Fuji DPS reel seat with stainless hoods. Construction spec is solid for a mid-market Pacific Northwest conventional rod.
All three models are 8'0" 1-piece conventional (casting) with MF (medium-fast) action. The only variable is power: M (10–20 lb), M+ (12–25 lb), MH (15–30 lb). Spinning models is absent. The tight power spread makes sense for Pacific salmon work where the difference between a Chinook mooching rod and a halibut rod is primarily backbone, not length. Sturgeon use would push toward the MH end.
Deeper Dive
A closer look at notable models.
Heaviest model in the series. 15–30 lb rating covers sturgeon setups and heavier halibut rigs. Extra backbone also handles heavier mooching weights in deep or fast water.
Rods in this series
| Model | Length | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| MON-HS-801M | 8' 0" | M | $195.49 |
| MON-HS-801M+ | 8' 0" | M+ | $195.49 |
| MON-HS-801MH | 8' 0" | MH | $195.49 |